September 1st, Platform 9¾

"Remus! Peter!"

Sirius and James ran up to their friends in happiness. It had been two whole days since they had last seen each other and now here they were, about to board the train to their 6th year at Hogwarts. Remus had gotten accepted to be a prefect this year so they had a whole year to wreak havoc on any and everybody.

"Where's Severa?" James turned to Peter before looking over at Sirius. "We haven't seen her since she went home a week ago," He wrapped his arm around his friend's neck. "So, how's your girlfriend, Sir~?" they all chuckled at James teasing Sirius but Remus noticed the way Sirius shifted, clearly uncomfortable which was something new when it came to Sirius and Severa.

Before he could pipe up, James ran over to Lily and hugged her causing the girl to erupt in giggles as she playfully pushed him away.

"James, get off me! We're going to miss the train," Lily scolded, though her smile betrayed her amusement.

Sirius managed a grin, masking his discomfort, and turned to Remus. "So, Mr. Prefect, ready to enforce the rules while we break them?"

Remus chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll try my best to keep you all in line. But knowing you lot, I doubt it."

Peter laughed and added, "Just make sure you don't catch us, Moony!"

The whistle of the Hogwarts Express blew, signaling that it was time to board. The group hurried towards the train, lugging their trunks and cages. As they climbed aboard, the familiar scent of the train, a mix of metal, and wood filled the air as they moved through the rows of students.

Finally finding a compartment, they settled in when Peter pointed out that some of the guys from their house were in the compartment across from them causing James to immediately perk up. "Oh, it's our Quidditch team! I've got to catch up with them about this year's strategy," he said excitedly, already halfway opening the door.

Remus and Peter sat there as James and Sirius talked through the open compartment door when suddenly something blocked their view, looking up, Sirius found Severa standing there but she looked different.

Her hair was cut into bangs stood out, but what stood out the most was her eyes. They were hard and cold. Sirius's grin faded entirely, replaced by a look of concern.

"Severa, are you alright?" he asked, standing up and moving towards her.

She didn't even spare him a glance, instead, she stared right at Remus. "You're needed in the perfect compartment." And she turned and left, not waiting for a response.

Remus furrowed his brows, glancing at his friends. "That's odd," he murmured, standing up. "I'll go see what's going on."

As Remus left the compartment, Sirius, James, and Peter exchanged worried looks. "What's up with her?" James asked, his usual playful demeanor replaced with genuine concern. "She looked like she was about to hex someone."

Sirius shook his head as a sinking feeling started to arise. He had an idea of why she would be acting like that but...he could never tell his friends why, that would ruin him in more ways than one. Instead, he tried to shrug it off. "I don't know, mate. Maybe something happened at home. Let's give her some space."

James frowned but nodded, accepting Sirius's explanation for the moment. "Alright. But if she needs help, we should be there for her."

"Yeah," Peter added quietly. "We've got each other's backs, no matter what."

As they settled back into their seats, the atmosphere was noticeably tenser. Sirius stared out the window, lost in thought. He knew he couldn't hide the truth forever, but for now, he had to focus on the here and now.

Hogwarts Express, Slytherin Compartments

Severa navigated through the throngs of excited students buzzing about the start of a new year, finally reaching the door to the Slytherin section of the train. As she stepped inside, the atmosphere changed drastically. Unlike the rest of the train, the Slytherin compartment was subdued, with students speaking in calm, measured tones instead of shouting over one another.

The compartment's layout was different as well. Instead of private rooms, it featured an open space filled with small tables, each surrounded by booths. She took a seat at one of the empty booths, pulled a book out of her enlarged trunk, and settled in, eager to escape into its pages. Suddenly, the book was snatched from her hands.

She looked up, ready to hex whoever had taken her book, when she realized who it was. Dark chocolate skin, brown eyes, and far too much charm for one person. "What do you want, Mulciber?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Mulciber smirked, flipping through the book nonchalantly. "Relax, Love. Just curious what you're reading," he replied, ignoring her irritation. "Seems heavy. Aren't you supposed to be relaxing before we get buried in schoolwork?"

Severa narrowed her eyes, reaching out to snatch the book back. "None of your business," she said coldly. "Now give it back."

Mulciber shrugged and handed the book back. "Always so serious, Severa. You need to lighten up. We're starting a new year, after all."

She took the book and placed it back in her trunk, deciding it wasn't worth the effort to argue. "What do you really want, Mulciber?" she asked again, her patience wearing thin. He leaned in, his face inches from hers.

"You promised to write me over the summer," he said, his smirk faltering for a moment. "Yet I received nothing, not even after I wrote to you, so it makes me wonder." His eyes trailed from her lips to her eyes, searching for answers.

Severa took a deep breath, holding his gaze steadily. "I had a lot going on this summer, Mulciber. Family issues, personal stuff. Writing letters wasn't exactly my top priority."

Mulciber's expression softened slightly, but a hint of suspicion remained as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Her eyes widened as she looked from him to the box. "Mulciber, what the hell?"

He chuckled at her shocked face before opening the box to reveal a silver necklace with a small teardrop diamond charm. "I'm guessing you didn't read my letter or you just forgot. I told you I had a gift for you."

Severa stared at the necklace, speechless for a moment. "Mulciber, this is... so pretty." Her voice softened, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "You really didn't have to."

"I wanted to," he replied, his tone uncharacteristically earnest. "There's only three in the whole world and I thought the only girl for me should get one." Severa felt her heart melt at his dumb pick-up line before she closed the box and placed it on the table.

"I already told you once, I'm not gonna date you and I'm not taking the necklace."

His smile faltered. "Why not? It's a gift, Severa."

"I know," she said, keeping her tone even. "But I don't want to give you the wrong impression."

Mulciber's eyes darkened slightly before he leaned in closer and rested his head in her lap. She knew this move; he had used it on her in their first year to persuade her to sneak out with him to the kitchens. She also knew she was weak whenever he pulled this.

"Severa," he murmured, looking up at her with those intense, dark eyes. "We could be so much more together. You know it."

Her fingers instinctively brushed through his hair, a gesture of comfort and familiarity. She sighed, feeling the familiar pull of his charm. "Mulciber," she started, her resolve wavering, "I've told you before, we're never gonna happen, no matter what"

"I'll be good," he insisted, his voice a whisper. "I promise, it'll be different. Better."

Severa closed her eyes for a moment, her heart and mind at war. She wanted to let him be happy, but she also knew what happened the last time she opened her heart to a pureblood rich boy. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and met his gaze. "Alright," she said softly. "I'll think about it. But no promises."

Mulciber's face lit up with a hopeful smile. "That's all I ask," he said, getting comfortable on her lap before closing his eyes and drifting off. She stared down at him, taking in his face. Two boys cut from the same cloth: rich, pureblood, known playboy. Yet she ignored it all because he was different with her. But then...

She cleared her mind and went back to her book, trying to focus on the words but finding it difficult with Mulciber's weight on her lap. His presence was both comforting and a reminder of the complications their relationship could bring. She gently scratched his scalp as she watched his chest fall and rise before sighing softly. He was different with her, yes, but could she trust that difference to last?

The rhythmic chugging of the train and the muffled conversations around her created a soothing backdrop. Eventually, she managed to lose herself in her book, the story providing a temporary escape from her tangled emotions.